Some in the Brown Mountain community are "incensed" by claims by Akuo Energy, the French developer of the Brown Mountain wind farm, that detailed consultation with neighbours influenced the siting of turbines. As reported last week, the developers announced they were reducing the number of wind turbines for the Granite Hill project, but that the height of those remaining would be increased by 20 metres. Kitt Bryce, chairman of the 22-member Brown Mountain Residents' Group, said his members had a growing number of concerns about the proposal, among which was an apparent change in the total height being reported to media as opposed to the community. "At the wind farm community consultative meeting in November, the developers announced that they had reduced the number of turbines from 32 to 23, but had increased the turbine height to 230 metres," Mr Bryce said. "This was presented as fait accomplit, with no negotiation or discussion permitted. The increased revenue from the larger turbines will, no doubt, more than compensate for the reduction in numbers in this massive industrial development." Mr Bryce said the recent report in the Bega District News and the Monaro Post stating a turbine height of 220 metres was the first time neighbours had seen this figure. "Whether 220 metres or 230 metres high, there are only four structures in Sydney that are taller," Mr Bryce said. "With a blade diameter of around 170 metres, each turbine will be the size of a 70 storey building and will have a swept area of approximately 22,700 square metres. "The visual impact for some will be staggering," he added. Mr Bryce said other concerns held by neighbours to the wind farm proposal included the "astonishing amount" of flora and fauna, including endangered species, surveyed on the site as part of the Environmental Impact Statement studies, and the potential health impacts of "as yet unknown levels of noise and infrasound generated". "Given the damage wrought by the recent fires in terms of loss of life and property, plus native wildlife, habitat and vegetation; impact on streams and ground water systems; and the increasing reliance on aerial fire fighting in this sort of terrain, we believe that, more than ever, this development is not sustainable."

Anger at 'super turbines' for proposed Brown Mountain wind farm

Some in the Brown Mountain community are "incensed" by claims by Akuo Energy, the French developer of the Brown Mountain wind farm, that detailed consultation with neighbours influenced the siting of turbines.

As reported last week, the developers announced they were reducing the number of wind turbines for the Granite Hill project, but that the height of those remaining would be increased by 20 metres.

Kitt Bryce, chairman of the 22-member Brown Mountain Residents' Group, said his members had a growing number of concerns about the proposal, among which was an apparent change in the total height being reported to media as opposed to the community.

"At the wind farm community consultative meeting in November, the developers announced that they had reduced the number of turbines from 32 to 23, but had increased the turbine height to 230 metres," Mr Bryce said.

"This was presented as fait accomplit, with no negotiation or discussion permitted. The increased revenue from the larger turbines will, no doubt, more than compensate for the reduction in numbers in this massive industrial development."

"Whether 220 metres or 230 metres high, there are only four structures in Sydney that are taller," Mr Bryce said.

"With a blade diameter of around 170 metres, each turbine will be the size of a 70 storey building and will have a swept area of approximately 22,700 square metres.

"The visual impact for some will be staggering," he added.

Mr Bryce said other concerns held by neighbours to the wind farm proposal included the "astonishing amount" of flora and fauna, including endangered species, surveyed on the site as part of the Environmental Impact Statement studies, and the potential health impacts of "as yet unknown levels of noise and infrasound generated".

"Given the damage wrought by the recent fires in terms of loss of life and property, plus native wildlife, habitat and vegetation; impact on streams and ground water systems; and the increasing reliance on aerial fire fighting in this sort of terrain, we believe that, more than ever, this development is not sustainable."